The Northerner + University of Manchester | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner+education/universityofmanchester
Indexen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016Fri, 09 Dec 2016 18:46:29 GMT2016-12-09T18:46:29Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2016The Guardianhttps://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttps://www.theguardian.com
Albert Einstein in Manchester – archive, 10 June 1921https://www.theguardian.com/science/the-northerner/2016/jun/10/albert-einstein-manchester-university-doctor-of-science
<p><strong>10 June 1921: </strong>A Guardian writer reflects on the significance of the honour for both Albert Einstein and Manchester University</p><p>In accepting the degree of Doctor of Science conferred on him by the University of Manchester yesterday, Professor ALBERT EINSTEIN conferred a signal honour on Manchester and its University. The compliment was no vain one on either side, for the University of Manchester claims high distinction in the scientific field, and Professor EINSTEIN’S visit is in itself a very distinct recognition of the University as a home of science. </p><p>EINSTEIN himself has become, with amazing rapidity, the hero not only of the scientist and the scholar, but also of the populace. The reason is not hard to seek. The man in the street, a traveller between life and death, is compact of all elements, and is neither wholly devoid of science nor of poetry. He may have few ideas in either, but he probably cherishes what he has, and whatever touches them nearly is of moment to him. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/the-northerner/2016/jun/10/albert-einstein-manchester-university-doctor-of-science">Continue reading...</a>Albert EinsteinUniversity of ManchesterScienceManchesterFri, 10 Jun 2016 04:30:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/science/the-northerner/2016/jun/10/albert-einstein-manchester-university-doctor-of-sciencePhotograph: APPhotograph: APGuardian Staff2016-06-10T04:30:12ZCampaign to buy Alan Turing's notebook for the nationhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2015/feb/05/campaign-to-buy-alan-turings-notebook-for-the-nation
<p>A rare notebook belonging to the mathematical genius and adopted Mancunian has just gone on sale at a New York auction house, capitalising on his raised profile from the Oscar-nominated Imitation Game. It belongs in Britain, says maths professor<strong> S Barry Cooper</strong>, who has launched a petition to bring it into the national collection</p><p>Alan Turing’s Lost Notebook, with his handwritten mathematical thoughts from 1942, has mysteriously reappeared in New York City auction house, Bonhams, with a predicted selling price of at least one million dollars. What makes it extra special is that we have so little left from this British mathematical magician of the computer age, apart from his ideas.</p><p>Hidden within the middle pages that Turing left blank are secret personal notes of his student and close friend, Robin Gandy. Robin was a motorbike riding and famously good looking professor of logic at Manchester University at the time I was completing my thesis there in 1969. He had been staying with Turing some eight days before he so tragically died in Wilmslow on June 7, 1954 — the house, in Adlington Road, recently sold for close on a million pounds. Gandy insisted they were never lovers. His very personal comments on his relationship with the codebreaking hero of Bletchley Park, shamefully repaid for his wartime exploits — and so vividly evoked in the new Oscar-nominated movie The Imitation Game — are indispensible. </p><p>“Turing, clearly, was viewed with considerable awe by most of his colleagues at Bletchley because of his evident intellect and great originality and importance of his contributions, and by many with considerable discomfort because his personality was so outlandish. Many people found him incomprehensible, perhaps being intimidated by his reputation but more likely being put off by his character and mannerisms.”</p><p> “I think definitely that he should be given all the recognition for what he did during the war. It’s so sad that he was persecuted and hounded at the end of his life. I’m sure it must have absolutely ruined his life. It was absolutely miserable. They injected him with hormones and goodness knows what.”<br></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2015/feb/05/campaign-to-buy-alan-turings-notebook-for-the-nation">Continue reading...</a>Alan TuringManchesterBenedict CumberbatchThe Imitation GameUniversity of ManchesterGreater ManchesterThu, 05 Feb 2015 16:41:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/the-northerner/2015/feb/05/campaign-to-buy-alan-turings-notebook-for-the-nationPhotograph: Allstar/BLACK BEAR PICTURES/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarPhotograph: Allstar/BLACK BEAR PICTURES/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarS Barry Cooper2015-02-05T16:41:30ZBaghdad's 'Street of the Booksellers' honoured at Manchester's John Rylands libraryhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/gallery/2013/mar/05/libraries-iraq-almutanabbi-booksellers-johnrylands-manchester
<strong><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/christopherthomond">Christopher Thomond</a></strong> for the <em>Guardian Northerner</em> looks at some of the delicate 'artists' books' which bear witness to the world's determination that free speech will survive in Iraq. You can <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2013/mar/05/iraq-libraries">read more about the exhibition and the al-Mutanabbi Street bomb on 5 March 2007, by <strong>Martin Wainwright</strong> here</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/gallery/2013/mar/05/libraries-iraq-almutanabbi-booksellers-johnrylands-manchester">Continue reading...</a>LibrariesBooksIraqManchesterUniversity of ManchesterGreater ManchesterSan FranciscoTue, 05 Mar 2013 06:42:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/gallery/2013/mar/05/libraries-iraq-almutanabbi-booksellers-johnrylands-manchesterPhotograph: Christopher Thomond/GuardianThe main reading room at John Rylands University Library in Manchester. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond/GuardianThe main reading room at John Rylands University Library in Manchester. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianChristopher Thomond2013-03-05T06:42:00ZNorthern Eye 9 - Thomond on Thursdayhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/gallery/2013/feb/21/jodrell-bank-manchester-students-canals-food-banks-sunderland
In his latest weekly selection of pictures from northern England, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/christopherthomond"><strong>Christopher Thomond</strong></a> visits Manchester's studentland and looks at technology old and new. You can see his eight earlier <em>Northern Eyes</em> <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/christopherthomond">here</a> and read <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/martinwainwright"><strong>Martin Wainwright</strong></a> on the pleasures of working with him, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/dec/12/photography-northern-england-chris-thomond-denis-thorpe-don-mcphee">here</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/gallery/2013/feb/21/jodrell-bank-manchester-students-canals-food-banks-sunderland">Continue reading...</a>ManchesterUniversity of ManchesterGreater ManchesterRoyal Northern College of MusicManchester Metropolitan UniversityAstronomySunderlandThu, 21 Feb 2013 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/gallery/2013/feb/21/jodrell-bank-manchester-students-canals-food-banks-sunderlandPhotograph: Christopher ThomondTelescope with a view ... Jodrell Bank's Lovell telescope in Cheshire. Photograph: Christopher ThomondPhotograph: Christopher ThomondTelescope with a view ... Jodrell Bank's Lovell telescope in Cheshire. Photograph: Christopher ThomondChristopher Thomond2013-02-21T07:00:00ZRejected by robots - a would-be young journalist writes from the northhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/23/work-experience-interns-newcastle-manchester-mediacityuk
Newcastle graduate <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/glen_keogh">Glen Keogh</a></strong>, now living in Manchester, has followed all the advice. But that job offer still hasn't arrived.<p>Everybody knows it's hard for graduates at the moment. I've heard all the advice, excuses and put-downs and I know it's down to the individual person to pave their own future and grab a slice of the proverbial pie that they've worked hard for. I've been told:</p><p>It's all about experience. You need to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Just look at our CEO, he got this job <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/shortcuts/2013/jan/07/do-job-hunting-stunts-work" "="">by advertising himself on a billboard…</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/23/work-experience-interns-newcastle-manchester-mediacityuk">Continue reading...</a>ManchesterSalfordUniversity of ManchesterLeedsUniversity of LeedsUniversity of SalfordLiverpoolSheffieldNewcastleWork & careersYoung peopleStudentsUnemploymentNewcastle UniversityNorthumbria UniversityAlan ShearerHunter S ThompsonMediaWed, 23 Jan 2013 11:49:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/23/work-experience-interns-newcastle-manchester-mediacityukPhotograph: Ho/ReutersSo you be a journalist want to? But how do you get hold of that handy light sabre? Photograph: Ho/ReutersPhotograph: Ho/ReutersSo you be a journalist want to? But how do you get hold of that handy light sabre? Photograph: Ho/ReutersGlen Keogh2013-01-23T11:49:00ZAlan Turing Year - the Establishment still doesn't get ithttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/22/alan-turing-computing
The chair of the Alan Turing Year celebrations, Prof <a href="http://www.amsta.leeds.ac.uk/~pmt6sbc/">S. Barry Cooper</a> who has blogged regularly for the <em>Northerner</em> during the events, comes up for air after a well-deserved break. Much was celebrated, he says, but more remains to be done<p>When the Olympic flame called by Manchester's statue of Alan Turing on what would have been his 100th birthday, 23 June last year, we saw the poignant highlight of an incredible series of centenary celebrations.</p><p>For it was at Manchester University – on one side of the statue and its bench in Sackville Park while the city's <a href="http://www.canal-st.co.uk/">Gay Village</a> is on the other – that the computer pioneer took the first groundbreaking steps towards today's 'artificial intelligence', bequeathing us the <a href="http://www.turing.org.uk/turing/scrapbook/test.html">Turing Test for intelligence</a> in machines.</p><p>"Founder of the Information Age" whose work influenced everything from washing machines to smart phones.</p><p>Turing believes machines think. Turing lies with men. Therefore machines do not think. </p><p>Britain's societal failings are still painfully on show in the Establishment's cack-handed efforts to make amends for the persecution Turing suffered. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/22/alan-turing-computing">Continue reading...</a>Alan TuringScienceComputingManchesterGreater ManchesterLeedsUniversity of ManchesterUniversity of LeedsTue, 22 Jan 2013 16:18:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/22/alan-turing-computingPhotograph: PRA Monopoly set but no pardon. Turing hasn't completely won the UK's top people over.Photograph: PRA Monopoly set but no pardon. Turing hasn't completely won the UK's top people over.S.Barry Cooper2013-01-22T16:18:00ZManchester honours the woman behind the pioneering music of Doctor Whohttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/10/blogpost-delia-derbyshire-electronic-music-dr-who
Saturday's <a href="http://www.deliaderbyshireday.wordpress.com">Delia Derbyshire Day</a> brings long-awaited recognition to a bright spark who was once told: 'The recording studio is no place for a woman.' <strong>Chloe Glover </strong>reports<p>The godmother of British electronic music who helped to create one of the most recognisable TV theme tunes of all time and pioneered the genre through her work in the BBC Radiophonic Workshop is to be commemorated in an inaugural one-day celebration of her work in Manchester.</p><p>There being no "synthesisers", the Workshop needed a source of electronic sound. They found this in a bank of twelve high-quality test tone generators, the usual function of which was to output various tones (square waves, sine waves) for passing through electronic circuits for testing gain, distortion and so on ... Each sound in the Doctor Who theme was individually created using these instruments, and recorded to magnetic tape ... Now the fun really started. They had all the sounds, all the notes, and now had to create the music. So each individual note was trimmed to length by cutting the tape, and stuck together in the right order. </p><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/55267342">Delia Derbyshire Day 2013</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user15148360">Delia Darlings</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><p>It was a lot more free, daring and experimental sonically than what you hear nowadays. Listening to her archives I got really humbled by how graceful the sound was, especially her production efforts, in a pre-synthesiser age. She had to create tones and overtones without relying on advanced machinery. I think we've lost that grace in a lot of modern music -there's too much technology and processes. It warps the original ideas.</p><p>I didn't think it would be that interesting to have three electronic artists on the project as Delia's work was so experimental. I wanted people who had creative angles and were dedicated to their craft. </p><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/55267341">Delia darlings Tour N England JAN 2013</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user15148360">Delia Darlings</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/10/blogpost-delia-derbyshire-electronic-music-dr-who">Continue reading...</a>MusicElectronic musicManchesterGreater ManchesterUniversity of ManchesterUniversity of SalfordBBCPink FloydDoctor WhoTelevisionTelevision & radioCultureThu, 10 Jan 2013 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2013/jan/10/blogpost-delia-derbyshire-electronic-music-dr-whoPhotograph: R Mcphedran/Getty Images17th December 1965: Daleks invade a London street, outside Wyndams Theatre. Daleks feature in the children's TV series, Dr Who. Photograph: R Mcphedran/Getty ImagesPhotograph: R Mcphedran/Getty Images17th December 1965: Daleks invade a London street, outside Wyndams Theatre. Daleks feature in the children's TV series, Dr Who. Photograph: R Mcphedran/Getty ImagesChloe Glover2013-01-10T12:00:00ZBetter late than never - the Portico Prize 2012https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/dec/04/portico-prize-sarah-hall-manchester
Sorry, the <em>Northerner</em> has been a bit slow to bring you details of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/26/manchester-jeanettewinterson">'Northern Booker' </a>because of other duties, but there's something to be said for slowing journalism down. Here's <strong><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/ed-glinert">Ed Glinert</a></strong> who was there<p>My money was on Val McDermid to become the first author to win <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/26/manchester-jeanettewinterson">the Portico Prize </a>twice. This was not simply because she was sat on my table in the Great Hall of Manchester Town Hall, albeit separated by large swags of fruit and flowers, but because I was mightily impressed that the character Jacko Vance in her short-listed entry for the fiction prize, <em>The Retribution,</em> was based on Jimmy Savile and had been devised (for her earlier <em>Wire in the Blood</em>) at a time when so many of us thought that Savile was a harmless fruitcake.</p><p>So up stepped Alison Boyle of the <a href="http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/">Arts Council</a> to announce that the fiction winner was… <a href="http://www.sarahhallauthor.com/">Sarah Hall</a> who won for the second time running, this time with <em>The Beautiful Indifference</em>, short stories <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/24/beautiful-indifference-sarah-hall-review">described as "dark, fierce and sensual" </a>in the <em>Guardian</em>. Apparently Sarah had chosen for superstitious reasons not to prepare an acceptance speech, even though Val McDermid had modestly intimated that she though Sarah would win again.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/dec/04/portico-prize-sarah-hall-manchester">Continue reading...</a>ManchesterGreater ManchesterSalfordLiverpoolLeedsNewcastleSheffieldHuddersfieldPrestonSunderlandVal McDermidFictionAnthony BurgessWG SebaldUniversity of ManchesterSimon ArmitageTue, 04 Dec 2012 10:55:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/dec/04/portico-prize-sarah-hall-manchesterPhotograph: Michel Setboun/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesAnthony Burgess complained at the pitiful size of the Portico cheque. He'd be happy now. Photograph: Michel Setboun/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesPhotograph: Michel Setboun/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesAnthony Burgess complained at the pitiful size of the Portico cheque. He'd be happy now. Photograph: Michel Setboun/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesEd Glinert2012-12-04T10:55:34ZMormons plan a student oasis in Manchesterhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/nov/07/mormonism-manchester
Mitt Romney didn't get to be the first from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to run the White House, but the missionary work goes on<p>After this morning's <em>Northerner</em> post hailing <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/nov/07/blogpost-ladybirds-mathematics-dates-numbers-numerical-sequence">Obama and Ladybird Day</a>, it's only right to find some consolation for Mitt Romney whose concession speech has been generally <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/07/obama-four-more-years-america-verdict">described as gracious</a>.</p><p>One of the interesting things about the defeated Republican was his <a href="http://mormon.org/">Mormon religion</a> which has resonances in the north of England, especially Lancashire which provided some of the first and most enthusiastic members of the church<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/jul/24/mitt-romney-mormons-preston-lancashire-ribble"> as Alan Sykes reported here earlier in the Presidential campaign</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/nov/07/mormonism-manchester">Continue reading...</a>MormonismManchesterUniversity of ManchesterManchester Metropolitan UniversityLancashire holidaysReligionAlcoholStudentsMitt RomneyUS newsUtahWed, 07 Nov 2012 13:22:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/nov/07/mormonism-manchesterPhotograph: Christopher ThomondTemple and angel: Chorley's motorway landmark. Photograph: Christopher ThomondPhotograph: Christopher ThomondTemple and angel: Chorley's motorway landmark. Photograph: Christopher ThomondMartin Wainwright2012-11-07T13:22:30ZBlue plaque in Manchester will honour Anthony Burgesshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/oct/10/manchester-anthonyburgess
The plaque will be unveiled today at Manchester University, where the author studied in the 1930s<p>A blue plaque will be unveiled in honour of the Manchester-born author Anthony Burgess, the first public recognition of his astonishing literary success.</p><p>The plaque will be unveiled today at Manchester University, where the enduringly popular Burgess studied more than seven decades ago. It will be preceded by the first performance of a trumpet fanfare he wrote as a birthday present to his son, Andrew Burgess Wilson. It was discovered recently by staff at the <a href="http://www.anthonyburgess.org">International Anthony Burgess Foundation</a> in Manchester.</p><p>"Although Burgess was one of the great English language writers of the 20th century, he has always been neglected in the country of his birth.</p><p>"In his lifetime, he was always regarded with suspicion because he lived abroad, even though he regularly visited the UK and came back to London towards the end of his life.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/oct/10/manchester-anthonyburgess">Continue reading...</a>UK newsManchesterAnthony BurgessUniversity of ManchesterWilliam GoldingClassical musicMonacoBooksWed, 10 Oct 2012 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/oct/10/manchester-anthonyburgessPhotograph: Christopher Thomond/GuardianA cherub propped up against bookcases at the Anthony Burgess Centre in Manchester. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond/GuardianA cherub propped up against bookcases at the Anthony Burgess Centre in Manchester. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianHelen Carter2012-10-10T06:00:00ZNew attempt to track down owners of Greater Manchester's empty homeshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/26/salford-university-greater-manchester-empty-houses-unknown-owners
Salford University is using social media to try to get 930 houses back into use. There are another 24,070 in the city region's ten authorities<p>Years ago when I was a cub reporter in Bath, I remember investigating the case of a pretty but forlorn and boarded-up end of terrace house whose ownership was beyond the means of anyone to find out.</p><p>In the end, the city council obtained an instrument called an<a href="http://www.justice.gov.uk/tribunals/lands/jurisdictions/aor"> Unknown Ownership Compulsory Purchase Order</a> which allowed it to circumvent the lengthy and probably unrewarding business of trying to find out who owned the property and why it had been allowed to decay. </p><p>The reasons for being the owner of an empty home are extremely diverse and difficult to address. Homeowners can be located almost anywhere, be of any ethnic or age profile and may be unwilling or unable to do anything with the house due to finance, emotional attachment or family breakdown.</p><p>This is not only a widespread problem, but a difficult one to solve But by adopting some new ways of thinking – such as the use of social media - we're hopeful that a method can be developed that will allow us to increase the number of homes being used as they were intended to be, when they were built.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/26/salford-university-greater-manchester-empty-houses-unknown-owners">Continue reading...</a>SalfordUniversity of SalfordManchesterUniversity of ManchesterHousingHousing marketUrbanisationLocal governmentCharles DickensCitiesWed, 26 Sep 2012 12:31:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/sep/26/salford-university-greater-manchester-empty-houses-unknown-ownersPhotograph: Christopher Thomond/GuardianWanted: owners, and then residents. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianPhotograph: Christopher Thomond/GuardianWanted: owners, and then residents. Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the GuardianMartin Wainwright2012-09-26T12:31:00ZDragons Den and Apprentice give wrong idea of business, say academicshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/aug/31/dragons-den-the-apprentice-lord-sugar-salford-university-business-school
The need for popular entertainment to highlight misbehaviour and conflict risks putting off would-be entrepreneurs, according to a report from Salford university<p>There was a widespread feeling in the early days of such TV programmes as <em><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0071b63">The Apprentice</a></em> and <em>Dragons' Den</em> that they might encourage more awareness that business creates jobs and prosperity, rather than being essentially an instrument of exploitation and greed.</p><p>Culturally, the UK's entrepreneurs have had a bad deal for many years, with the heroic struggles of organised labour far more appealing than those of adventurers who may risk everything, often including second mortgages on their homes, to create an enterprise which provides jobs not just for themselves but for others.</p><p>very little or no money but had a good idea, with the skills and knowledge to exploit it, plus determination and a strong work ethic.</p><p>Having experience of two different business cultures has given me an advantage in being able to spot opportunities which other people can miss, which I think is one of the key skills of an entrepreneur.</p><p>I don't think 'reality' business TV programmes necessarily give a true portrayal of what it takes to be an entrepreneur, although they can encourage people to look at innovative ways of doing business. The Apprentice&nbsp;in particular focuses on giving candidates tasks to complete or implement rather than asking them to seek out new opportunities.</p><p>We found it to be an incredibly moving experience to participate in this project. The responses from immigrant entrepreneurs we talked to were overwhelming and&nbsp;often&nbsp;very touching; we heard a multitude of interesting stories. Many told of the difficulties they had experienced in trying to establish themselves as entrepreneurs, some even encountered prejudices and isolation.<br>However, we were impressed and inspired with the drive and commitment these people had to succeed, their determination to learn new skills and new cultures, and their ability to work hard and persevere in the toughest of circumstances.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/aug/31/dragons-den-the-apprentice-lord-sugar-salford-university-business-school">Continue reading...</a>University of SalfordManchesterUniversity of ManchesterSalfordBusinessAlan SugarDragons' DenGreater ManchesterFri, 31 Aug 2012 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/aug/31/dragons-den-the-apprentice-lord-sugar-salford-university-business-schoolPhotograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames/Jim MarksOff-putting? The Apprentice 2012: Karren Brady, Lord Sugar, Nick Hewer Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback ThamesPhotograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback Thames/Jim MarksOff-putting? The Apprentice 2012: Karren Brady, Lord Sugar, Nick Hewer Photograph: Jim Marks/BBC/Talkback ThamesMartin Wainwright2012-08-31T06:00:00ZSheffield university helps to crack the mystery of Stonehenge - possiblyhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/22/sheffield-university-stonehenge-southampton-manchester-bournemouth-ucl
The famous circle may celebrate the end of Britain's forgotten east-west divide, long since replaced by the familiar one between north and south<p>Sheffield academics are good at collaring national attention. Witness the anxious appeals by radio listeners in the 1930s for scientists in the city to halt an atomic experiment on the grounds that it might bring about the end of the world.</p><p>Not long before, a Sheffield University lecturer in electrical research, Dr T.F.Wall applied for a patent for a means of transmitting electrical energy without wires – according to journalists at the time:</p><p>an invention capable of destroying life, stopping airplanes in flight and bringing motor cars to a standstill.</p><p>When Stonehenge was built, there was a growing island-wide culture – the same styles of houses, pottery and other material forms were used from Orkney to the south coast. This was very different to the regionalism of previous centuries. Stonehenge itself was a massive undertaking, requiring the labour of thousands to move stones from as far away as west Wales, shaping them and erecting them. Just the work itself, requiring everyone literally to pull together, would have been an act of unification.</p><p>This is an extraordinary example of the sun's path being marked on natural features of the land. There are eight man-made monuments in the Stonehenge area with solstitial alignments, a number unmatched anywhere else. Perhaps they saw this place as the centre of the world.</p><p>All the architectural influences for Stonehenge can be found in previous monuments and buildings within Britain, with origins in Wales and Scotland. In fact, Britain's Neolithic people were isolated from the rest of Europe for centuries. Britain may have become unified but there was no interest in interacting with people across the Channel. Stonehenge appears to have been the last gasp of this Stone Age culture, which was isolated from Europe and from the new technologies of metal tools and the wheel.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/22/sheffield-university-stonehenge-southampton-manchester-bournemouth-ucl">Continue reading...</a>StonehengeHistoryArchaeologySheffieldUniversity of SheffieldBournemouth UniversityUniversity of SouthamptonUniversity of ManchesterUCL (University College London)Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:57:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/22/sheffield-university-stonehenge-southampton-manchester-bournemouth-uclPhotograph: Felix ClayCome together. Was it Britain's prehistoric equivalent of the UN building in New York? Photograph: Felix ClayPhotograph: Felix ClayCome together. Was it Britain's prehistoric equivalent of the UN building in New York? Photograph: Felix ClayMartin Wainwright2012-06-22T16:57:00ZAlan Turing and the bullying of Britain's geekshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/20/alan-turing-geeks
Celebrations of Alan Turing's life and work reach a peak this week with the centenary of his birth. The chair of the project, <strong><a href="http://www1.maths.leeds.ac.uk/~pmt6sbc/">Professor S.Barry Cooper</a></strong>, continues his series for the <em>Guardian Northerner </em>with insights on the torment which the bright but unusual can still suffer at school<p>John Turing talks in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/17/alan-turing-computerscienceandit-centenary-gay-barry-cooper">the family's reminscences</a> about his younger brother Alan, recalling how the future computer genius was noted for:</p><p>bad reports, slovenly habits and unconventional behaviour</p><p>Alan was first class at beating the system. He refused to work at anything except his precious maths and science, but he had an incredible aptitude for examinations, aided by last minute swotting. </p><p>He was a strange man, who never felt at ease in any place. His efforts, mostly occasional indeed, to look like he felt a part of the middle upper class circles which he naturally belonged to, were clumsy. He randomly adopted some conventions of his class, but rejected with no regret and hesitation most of their habits and ideas. And unfortunately the academic world's customs, which could have sheltered him, disconcerted and deeply bored him.</p><p>Wow! 'Under-appreciated' seems to be quite a euphemism for somebody bullied to death </p><p>Some of their behaviors and characteristics that others see as 'different' make these children easy targets for frequent and severe bullying.Having Asperger's Syndrome means these children are part of a vulnerable population and are easy targets.</p><p>Slightly less dirty &amp; untidy in his habits: &amp; rather more conscious of a duty to mend his ways. He has his own furrow to plough, &amp; may not meet with general sympathy: he seems cheerful, though I'm not always certain he really is so. (from 1926)</p><p>His ways sometimes tempt persecution: though I don't think he is unhappy. Undeniably he is not a 'normal' boy: not the worse for that, but probably less happy. (from 1927)</p><p>Those square pegs may not have an easy time in school. They may be mocked by jocks and ignored at parties. But these days no serious organisation can prosper without them. As Kiran Malhotra, a Silicon Valley networker, puts it: "It's actually cool to be a geek." </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/20/alan-turing-geeks">Continue reading...</a>Alan TuringScienceComputer science and ITLGBT rightsCrimeManchesterUniversity of ManchesterMental healthGreater ManchesterWed, 20 Jun 2012 15:26:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/20/alan-turing-geeksPhotograph: Rachel Hassall/Sherborne School archiveA geek - and a genius. Alan Turing's reading matter marked him out at school and university. Cartoon courtesy of the Turing Centenary YearPhotograph: Rachel Hassall/Sherborne School archiveA geek - and a genius. Alan Turing's reading matter marked him out at school and university. Cartoon courtesy of the Turing Centenary YearS.Barry Cooper2012-06-20T15:26:00ZManchester's MadLab spends time with the FBIhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/18/manchestermetropolitanuniversity-biology-diybio-madlab-fbi-california-conference
The lively team from the Northern Quarter have just been in California for a conference designed to help the Feds keep up with 'DIY biologists' across the world. <strong>Asa Calow </strong>was one of them<p>At<a href="http://madlab.org.uk/"> MadLab</a> we're used to unusual requests. We run a 3,000 square foot community space for science, technology and art in the centre of Manchester, and as a consequence organise and play host to a wide variety of events - from "hacking" toy robots to play football to making kimchi or dissecting octopuses (and eating them). But back in May we received one of our most unexpected queries yet:</p><p>I wanted to reach out to everyone to invite you to an upcoming workshop being put on by the FBI. Please join us for the workshop, June 12-14, 2012 in California.</p><p>It's the FBI's goal to work with the amateur biology community to safeguard science and those working in the field.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/18/manchestermetropolitanuniversity-biology-diybio-madlab-fbi-california-conference">Continue reading...</a>Manchester Metropolitan UniversityScienceBiologyTechnologyFBIManchesterLancaster UniversityCaliforniaUniversity of ManchesterUniversity of SalfordGreater ManchesterMon, 18 Jun 2012 16:10:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/jun/18/manchestermetropolitanuniversity-biology-diybio-madlab-fbi-california-conferencePhotograph: Rachael TurnerThe eye of Asa at the FBI's get-together in San Francisco. Photograph: Rachael TurnerPhotograph: Rachael TurnerThe eye of Asa at the FBI's get-together in San Francisco. Photograph: Rachael TurnerAsa Calow2012-06-18T16:10:00ZAlan Turing: "I am building a brain." Half a century later, its successor beat Kasparovhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/14/alan-turing-gary-kasparov-computer
The chair of the Alan Turing centenary celebrations, <a href="http://www.amsta.leeds.ac.uk/~pmt6sbc/"><strong>Professor S. Barry Cooper</strong></a> of Leeds University, continues his guest blog for the <em>Guardian Northerner </em>with a look at a legendary chess match<p>What is the link between <a href="http://www.kasparov.com">Garry Kasparov</a>, greatest chess player of all time, and World War II decoding genius Alan Turing, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/07/alan-turing-pardon-lord-mcnally-lord-sharkey-computers">dead in Wilmslow of cyanide poisoning</a> nine years before Kasparov was even born? </p><p>Back in 1944, at secret MI6 establishment <a href="http://www.dark-places.org.uk/site/hanslope-park">Hanslope Park</a> near <a href="http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk">Bletchley Park</a>, Turing (the world's first computer scientist) talked of "building a brain". This was four years before the first 'stored program' computer, the <a href="http://www.computer50.org/mark1/new.baby.html">'Manchester Baby'</a>, was born. The first computing revolution had hardly begun. </p><p>A computer would deserve to be called intelligent if it could deceive a human into believing that it was human. </p><p>the first computer whose responses are indistinguishable from a human's.</p><p><br>AI has been brain-dead since the 1970s. </p><p>Marvin may have been leveling his criticism at me.</p><p>It is humbling to read Alan Turing's papers. He thought of it all. First.</p><p>Machines take me by surprise with great frequency.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/14/alan-turing-gary-kasparov-computer">Continue reading...</a>Alan TuringChessComputer science and ITCrimeLGBT rightsScienceTechnologyThe X FactorGooglePrinceton UniversityManchesterUniversity of ManchesterUniversity of LeedsEducationGreater ManchesterMon, 14 May 2012 06:20:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/may/14/alan-turing-gary-kasparov-computerPhotograph: Science & Society Picture Librar/Getty ImagesAlan Turing and colleagues working on the Ferranti Mark I Computer in 1951. How intelligent was it? Photograph: Science & Society Picture Library/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Science & Society Picture Librar/Getty ImagesAlan Turing and colleagues working on the Ferranti Mark I Computer in 1951. How intelligent was it? Photograph: Science & Society Picture Library/Getty ImagesS.Barry Cooper2012-05-14T06:20:28ZCathy Crabb - learning from Ayckbourn and Beckett to give working people a voicehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/27/theatre-universityofmanchester
A rootedly northern playwright explores last August's street violence in Manchester and Salford in her latest play. <a href="http://www.writeoutloud.net/profiles/cathycrabb"><strong>Cathy Crabb</strong></a> discusses her work with <strong>Bernadette Hyland </strong>for the <em>Guardian Northerner</em><p><a href="http://www.writeoutloud.net/profiles/cathycrabb">Cathy Crabb</a>'s latest play, <em><a href="http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=1351">The Bubbler</a></em>, which has just had an initial run at Salford's <a href="http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=1351">King's Arms</a>, is her response to the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/series/reading-the-riots">riots in August 2011</a>. It is a simple story of two men talking in a pub and the rage felt by one of the characters at his own downfall from a good job in banking to the managing the local <a href="http://www.cashgenerator.co.uk">Cash Generator </a>shop. </p><p>He takes a <em>Daily Mail</em> viewpoint on the riots, one that Cathy wanted to challenge:</p><p>I didn't agree with all this hatred, it was just demonising people and not getting down to what was really happening. It's so hard to stand up for the person who doesn't have a voice. </p><p>He was a big handed man who was really creative. Outside he had this tough exterior, but he was a really sensitive man. </p><p>I write from my own life and see where it takes me.</p><p>I like the kitchen sink drama of Ayckbourn and the many layered themes of Beckett's plays. I am interested in life-changing moments in people's lives. </p><p>I don't expect peace and quiet. I have trained myself to talk and type at the same time.</p><p>I think its important people sort this out at the beginning of a relationship. My partner and I agreed early on that writing was important to me but I do a fair share of my domestic work!</p><p>I want to look at the lives of the people who use the canal, the drinkers, the men who fish, and look at the reasons why that part of the canal is almost erased from the map.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/27/theatre-universityofmanchester">Continue reading...</a>TheatreUniversity of ManchesterAlan AyckbournSamuel BeckettManchesterSalfordGreater ManchesterFri, 27 Apr 2012 08:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/27/theatre-universityofmanchesterPhotograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/GettyDramatic scenes in Manchester last year. Crabb's work challenges the saloon bar take on the troubles. Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/GettyPhotograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/GettyDramatic scenes in Manchester last year. Crabb's work challenges the saloon bar take on the troubles. Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/GettyBernadette Hyland2012-04-27T08:05:00ZDe-coding the Turing familyhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/17/alan-turing-computerscienceandit-centenary-gay-barry-cooper
The story of<a href="http:///www.guardian.co.uk/science/alan-turing"> Alan Turing</a> has a hold on the world's imagination. A <em>Northerner</em> post on the subject in January was the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2012/feb/07/alan-turing-pardon-lord-mcnally-lord-sharkey-computers">most-viewed item</a> on the <em>Guardian</em>'s whole website that week. Now the chair of the centenary celebrations, <strong><a href="http://www.maths.leeds.ac.uk/index.php?id=263&amp;uid=1009">Prof Barry Cooper</a></strong>, starts a series of guest posts for us<p>As the anniversary of <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/alan-turing">Alan Turing</a>'s birth in June approaches, the wider world is finally waking up to this great British mathematician, who was the world's first computer scientist. </p><p>"He lived, as I suppose is the lot of most geniuses, in some strange world of his own, full of nervous tensions of which we lesser mortals know nothing", says his brother John, in an afterword to <a href="http://www.cambridge.org/home/press_releases/display/item6869152/?site_locale=en_GB">a just-published reissue </a>of his mother Sara's biography of Alan. Eccentric as Turing was, there are hundreds of centenary events in his honour happening throughout the world in 2012, from Brazil to Beijing and from Iceland to Peru. </p><p>Turing believes machines think. Turing lies with men. Therefore machines do not think. </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/17/alan-turing-computerscienceandit-centenary-gay-barry-cooper">Continue reading...</a>Alan TuringComputer science and ITScienceManchesterUniversity of ManchesterBiologyLGBT rightsCrimeeBayTechnologyUniversity of LeedsSexualityGreater ManchesterTue, 17 Apr 2012 11:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/apr/17/alan-turing-computerscienceandit-centenary-gay-barry-cooperPhotograph: Courtesy: Professor Barry CooperDishonoured in the past, Turing is steadily gaining recognition, from international conferences and prizes to this blue plaque in a Wilmslow streetPhotograph: Courtesy: Professor Barry CooperDishonoured in the past, Turing is steadily gaining recognition, from international conferences and prizes to this blue plaque in a Wilmslow streetProfessor Barry Cooper2012-04-17T11:00:00ZGrow a sunflower to solve unfinished Alan Turing experimenthttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/mar/26/alan-turing-sunflowers-manchester-science-festival
Manchester Science Festival sows the seeds of a very bright idea to honour the computer genius in his centenary year<p>If ever there was a man for bright ideas, it was Alan Turing, and he would have loved this.</p><p>The whole of Manchester is being invited to plant sunflowers as part of the current centenary celebrations of his birth; and not just as a sentimental gesture.</p><p>Other scientists believe that Turing's explanation of why this happens in sunflowers is along the right lines but we need to test this out on a big dataset, so the more people who can grow sunflowers, the more robust the experiment.</p><p>We hope to provide the missing evidence to test Turing's little-known theories about Fibonacci numbers in sunflowers. It would be a fitting celebration of the work of Alan Turing.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/mar/26/alan-turing-sunflowers-manchester-science-festival">Continue reading...</a>Alan TuringManchesterLGBT rightsScienceHistory of scienceComputer science and ITComputingCrimeUniversity of ManchesterLeonardo da VinciSexualityGreater ManchesterMon, 26 Mar 2012 15:48:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/mar/26/alan-turing-sunflowers-manchester-science-festivalPhotograph: The Travel Library/Rex FeaturesBright, beautiful and a mathematical puzzle: sunflowers follow the light - and maybe the Fibonacci series of numbers too. Photograph: The Travel Library/Rex FeaturesPhotograph: The Travel Library/Rex FeaturesBright, beautiful and a mathematical puzzle: sunflowers follow the light - and maybe the Fibonacci series of numbers too. Photograph: The Travel Library/Rex FeaturesMartin Wainwright2012-03-26T15:48:00ZOpen-top bus tours come to Manchester as local students win University Challengehttps://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/mar/20/manchester-university-challenge-winners-open-top-bus
The sun shines, the youth are celebrating in Oxford Road and the big red sight-seeing bus will even take you past the <em>Guardian Northerner </em>office<p>Glory days just now for Manchester as its brainy youth thrash Cambridge in the final of <a href="http://http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1488834_university-challenge-winners-celebrate-with-a-pint-in-manchester-local">University Challenge</a> and radiant March sunshine keeps the city's traditional rain at bay.</p><p>The youthful team, crucially led by a Yorkshireman - English literature student Tristan Burke from Ilkley – is the third from Manchester University to win the contest in the last seven years. Only Magdalen College, Oxford, has taken the trophy more often (four times since the programme began in 1962); and that record won't stand much longer, you watch.</p><p>The city's professional tour guiding has concentrated on excellent walking tours over the past 30 years. The launch of this open top bus tour service is a fantastic development, especially for those who would like to travel further than the city centre to places like Old Trafford and Salford Quays. We wish Manchester Open Top Bus Tours every success.</p><p>People often ask for bus tours of Manchester and I'm delighted that we're now delivering this service. It's a unique opportunity for visitors to see more than just the city centre, whilst gleaning essential information from a professional tour guide.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/mar/20/manchester-university-challenge-winners-open-top-bus">Continue reading...</a>ManchesterManchester holidaysTransportTransport policyManchester CityManchester UnitedStudentsUniversity of ManchesterUniversity ChallengeGreater ManchesterTue, 20 Mar 2012 18:48:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2012/mar/20/manchester-university-challenge-winners-open-top-busPhotograph: Peter Barritt/SuperStock/CorbisLook no roof... an open topdeck view of the Town Hall. Photograph: Peter Barritt/SuperStock/CorbisPhotograph: Peter Barritt/SuperStock/CorbisLook no roof... an open topdeck view of the Town Hall. Photograph: Peter Barritt/SuperStock/CorbisMartin Wainwright2012-03-20T18:48:00Z